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Sustenance Herbs · Anaplaz-No Tincture
Three certified organic herbs for the specific organs and systems Anaplasma strains most: kidneys showing elevated values on bloodwork, blood cells the bacteria directly attack, and the liver processing the antibiotic. Supportive recovery care alongside your veterinarian's treatment.
Please read this before purchasing. These two points matter.
If your dog just tested positive for Anaplasma, you have questions that did not get fully answered at the clinic
Anaplasmosis, the disease caused by Anaplasma bacteria, is one of the most common tick-borne diseases in dogs, especially in the Northeast US, upper Midwest, and Mid-Atlantic regions. The same deer tick (also called the black-legged tick) that carries Lyme disease carries Anaplasma too. Many dogs in tick-heavy areas test positive every year.
The more common form of Anaplasma (called Anaplasma phagocytophilum) specifically targets and hijacks a type of white blood cell called granulocytes, which are among the immune cells responsible for fighting bacterial infections. A less common form (Anaplasma platys) targets platelets, the tiny cells that help blood clot. In either case, the bacteria affect the very cells the body relies on to defend itself.
Doxycycline (the antibiotic your veterinarian prescribed) works by directly killing the bacteria. In most cases it works well. But the antibiotic also places stress on the liver, which is the organ responsible for processing and clearing any medication from the body. The infection itself often stresses the kidneys, showing up as elevated values on bloodwork. And the bone marrow (where blood cells are made), the spleen (which filters blood and coordinates immune response), and the immune system broadly are all working overtime to respond to the bacteria even while the antibiotic works to clear them.
Anaplaz-No was built for the recovery layer that the antibiotic cannot address. Three herbs, each targeting a specific system the bacteria or the treatment stresses most.
What the antibiotic does, and what it leaves for this formula to address
What doxycycline does
Kills the Anaplasma bacteria. This is the treatment layer and it cannot be skipped or replaced. Complete the full course as your veterinarian prescribed. The antibiotic is doing the essential work of clearing the infection.
What doxycycline does not do
Protect the kidneys showing elevated values on bloodwork. Support the liver it is being processed through. Rebuild the white blood cells and platelets the bacteria damaged. Help the immune system find its balance after being disrupted. These are the systems this formula specifically targets.
What integrative care looks like
Using both conventional antibiotic treatment and targeted herbal recovery support at the same time, with each doing what it does best. This is what many holistic veterinarians call an integrative protocol, meaning it combines the best of conventional and natural medicine rather than choosing between them.
The full formula
Extracted in distilled water and organic cane alcohol (gluten-free, under 5% of the total). Nothing else.
Also called Chinese red sage · named for its bright red-orange root · used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for over 2,000 years
The kidney and circulation specialist — the primary reason it is in this formula
Dan Shen's active compounds (tanshinones and salvianolic acids, which are antioxidant compounds named after the herb itself) do three things specifically relevant for Anaplasma recovery.
Kidney protection — the primary role. Modern research has shown that Dan Shen helps protect kidney tissue from damage and reduces the scarring (called renal fibrosis, which is a technical term for hardening or scarring of kidney tissue) that can occur after kidney stress. When your veterinarian tells you that BUN (blood urea nitrogen) and creatinine are elevated on your dog's bloodwork, those two markers are the waste products that healthy kidneys filter out of the blood. Elevated levels mean the kidneys are under stress. Dan Shen is the herb in this formula that most directly supports recovery of kidney function. Think of it as the herb specifically working to help those values return to normal.
Microcirculation support. Microcirculation means blood flow through the smallest blood vessels in the body, the tiny capillaries where the actual exchange of oxygen and nutrients between blood and individual cells happens. When Anaplasma is damaging the white blood cells that are supposed to circulate through these vessels, blood flow to individual cells becomes impaired. Dan Shen helps keep these smallest delivery routes open so that immune cells and nutrients can reach where they are needed.
Antioxidant protection for blood cells. The salvianolic acid compounds in Dan Shen protect blood cells from the cellular damage (the same kind of cellular rust we see with aging and infection) that accumulates during active bacterial infection.
Important: Dan Shen has mild natural blood-thinning effects. In dogs with Anaplasma who already have low platelet counts, this should be discussed with your veterinarian before starting. Also discontinue at least seven days before any planned surgery.
One of the most important herbs in Ayurveda, the traditional medicine system of India · an adaptogen
Helps the immune system find balance again · manages the stress of fighting an infection
Ashwagandha is an adaptogen, which is a category of herbs that help the body adapt to and recover from physical and emotional stress. For a dog with Anaplasma, it plays three specific roles.
Immune modulation, not stimulation. Anaplasma creates an imbalanced immune response. The bacteria disrupt the white blood cells that fight infection, and the immune system overreacts in some areas while being unable to clear the infection in others. Ashwagandha's active compounds (called withanolides) help the immune system find balance, calming where it is overreacting and supporting where it is underperforming. This is different from simply stimulating the immune system to fight harder, which can backfire when the immune response itself is causing symptoms.
Cortisol regulation during chronic infection. The body's main stress hormone (cortisol) stays elevated during active bacterial infection. Chronically elevated cortisol suppresses tissue healing and makes recovery slower. Ashwagandha helps bring cortisol back toward normal levels, supporting the faster recovery the dog's body needs.
Direct anti-inflammatory action. Many of the acute symptoms of Anaplasma (fever, joint pain, lethargy) are driven partly by inflammation. Ashwagandha has direct anti-inflammatory properties that help address these symptoms alongside the antibiotic's work clearing the bacteria.
Two specific cautions for ashwagandha: Do not use in pregnant animals. Use cautiously in dogs with diagnosed autoimmune conditions, where extra immune modulation could be a concern — discuss with your veterinarian before starting if either applies.
Called "five-flavor berry" in Traditional Chinese Medicine · one of the most studied liver-protective herbs in modern science
Protects the liver processing the antibiotic · adds adaptogenic recovery support
Schisandra is a vine from East Asia bearing small red berries. Its traditional Chinese name translates as "five-flavor berry" because the berries contain all five basic tastes at once, which is rare in the plant world. Its active compounds (schisandrins, which belong to a broader family of plant compounds called lignans) make it one of the most well-studied liver-protective herbs available.
Liver protection during doxycycline treatment — the primary role. The liver is the organ that processes and clears all medications from the body. Long-term antibiotic treatment can place real stress on the liver, which sometimes shows up as elevated liver enzymes (such as ALT and ALP) on bloodwork. Research shows schisandra can help reduce liver damage from medications, toxins, and chronic stress. For dogs going through or recovering from a 28-day course of doxycycline, this support directly addresses one of the antibiotic's main side effects on the body.
Adaptogenic recovery support alongside ashwagandha. Schisandra is also an adaptogen, working alongside ashwagandha to help the body handle the cumulative stress of fighting infection and processing antibiotics simultaneously. Together, both adaptogens in this formula provide broader stress resilience than either one alone could provide.
Schisandra can affect how the liver processes certain medications, which may influence how those medications work in the body. If your dog is on multiple medications alongside doxycycline, discuss this with your veterinarian before starting.
What this does in your dog's body during recovery
Kidney values (BUN and creatinine) are elevated on bloodwork
Dan Shen protects kidney tissue from damage and reduces the scarring that can occur after kidney stress. These two markers (BUN = blood urea nitrogen, creatinine) are waste products healthy kidneys filter from the blood. Elevated levels indicate the kidneys are under strain. This is the primary reason Dan Shen is in this formula.
The liver is processing doxycycline for 28 days
Schisandra specifically protects the liver from medication-related stress, helps maintain normal liver enzyme levels, and supports the liver cells doing the work of clearing the antibiotic from the body.
The bacteria have damaged and disrupted white blood cells
Dan Shen supports blood flow through the smallest blood vessels so immune cells can circulate where they need to go, and provides antioxidant protection for blood cells surviving the inflammatory environment of active infection.
The immune system is in an unbalanced state — overreacting in some places, underperforming in others
Ashwagandha helps the immune system find balance, calming where it is overreacting (driving the fever and joint pain symptoms) and supporting where it is underperforming (clearing the infection).
Cortisol (the stress hormone) is chronically elevated, slowing recovery
Ashwagandha helps regulate cortisol back toward normal, which reduces the suppression of tissue healing and supports a faster return to the dog's baseline energy and behavior.
The whole body is under cumulative stress from infection and medication simultaneously
Ashwagandha and schisandra together (both adaptogens) help the body handle the combined stress of fighting infection and processing antibiotics, supporting stamina and energy return as recovery progresses.
Cumulative result over four to eight weeks alongside veterinary treatment
Bloodwork values (BUN, creatinine, liver enzymes, blood cell counts) return toward normal more reliably. Energy and appetite return. Kidney function stabilizes. The immune system finds its balance again. The body comes through the infection and its treatment with less lasting damage.
Cautions — please read all of these before starting.
Situations where this formula may help (discuss with your veterinarian)
How to give it
Administer at mealtimes mixed into food. Dan Shen has a distinctive earthy bitterness, so strongly flavored wet food or warmed bone broth helps with palatability for picky dogs.
Practical note: 40 drops equals approximately 1.2 mL, or about one-quarter teaspoon. A 50-pound dog at 50 drops twice daily (100 drops per day) would go through a 2 oz bottle in roughly 20 days. Start with once-daily dosing and increase to twice daily based on your veterinarian's recommendation. Acute cases often benefit from twice-daily dosing during the first few weeks of recovery, transitioning to once daily as the dog improves. Allow four to eight weeks of consistent use alongside veterinary treatment before evaluating effectiveness.
This formula is designed as a specific 4-to-8-week recovery protocol, not an indefinite daily supplement. After your dog has recovered and values have returned to normal, transitioning to Bor-L-Immune for ongoing prevention support is the natural next step.
Works well with
Sustenance Herbs Bor-L-Immune · Use after recovery for ongoing prevention
Once your dog has fully recovered from active Anaplasma and bloodwork has returned to normal, Bor-L-Immune is the dedicated prevention formula for reducing tick-borne disease risk going forward. The two formulas work in sequence: Anaplaz-No for the recovery window, Bor-L-Immune for prevention afterward.
ThorneVet Probiotic Support Formula Powder · Critical during antibiotic treatment
Doxycycline disrupts the gut bacteria along with the Anaplasma bacteria. Restoring a healthy gut microbiome during and after antibiotic treatment is one of the most important things you can do for a dog recovering from this infection. Give the probiotic at least two hours apart from the doxycycline dose.
Sustenance Herbs Detox Liver Cleanse
For dogs on a long course of antibiotics or with previously elevated liver values, adding dedicated liver cleansing support provides a second layer of liver protection alongside the schisandra in Anaplaz-No.
ThorneVet Kidney Support Formula Powder
For dogs whose BUN and creatinine have not returned to normal after treatment, this dedicated kidney support formula adds targeted nutrient-level kidney function support alongside the herbal kidney support Dan Shen provides. Talk to your veterinarian about whether this is appropriate for your dog's specific bloodwork results.
ThorneVet Gut Health Formula Powder
For dogs with digestive symptoms during or after doxycycline treatment, this formula provides gut barrier repair and mucosal healing alongside the probiotic restoration.
Questions and answers
What is anaplasmosis in dogs?
Anaplasmosis is a bacterial infection transmitted through the bite of infected deer ticks. The more common form (Anaplasma phagocytophilum) targets a specific type of white blood cell called granulocytes, which are the immune cells that fight bacterial infections. The less common form (Anaplasma platys) targets platelets, the cells that help blood clot. Symptoms include fever, lethargy, joint pain, and reduced appetite, though many dogs test positive without showing symptoms. Diagnosis is typically made through a blood screening test at the veterinary clinic, and treatment is usually a 28-day course of the antibiotic doxycycline.
Can herbs cure Anaplasma in my dog?
No, and we will not pretend otherwise. The conventional veterinary treatment for active Anaplasma infection is the antibiotic doxycycline, which is the standard of care for very good reason. What herbs can do is support the specific organs the infection damages: kidneys that are showing elevated values on bloodwork, the liver processing the antibiotic, and the immune system finding its balance after being disrupted. This is supportive care alongside veterinary treatment, not a substitute for it.
What does it mean that my dog's kidney values are elevated after an Anaplasma diagnosis?
When your veterinarian mentions elevated kidney values, they are usually referring to two markers on the bloodwork: BUN (which stands for blood urea nitrogen) and creatinine. Both are waste products that healthy kidneys filter out of the blood. When kidney function is stressed or impaired, these waste products build up and show as elevated on bloodwork. Anaplasma can affect kidney function in some dogs, and elevated values warrant follow-up bloodwork to see if they return to normal after treatment. Dan Shen (one of the herbs in this formula) is specifically supportive of kidney function and may help those values normalize during the recovery period.
Can I give my dog supplements while on doxycycline?
Yes, in most cases, with your veterinarian's knowledge. The herbs in Anaplaz-No do not have known significant interactions with doxycycline. In fact, schisandra's liver-protective action is particularly relevant because doxycycline is processed through the liver. That said, schisandra can affect how the liver processes some medications, so if your dog is on multiple prescriptions, discuss this with your veterinarian before starting. If you are also giving a probiotic during antibiotic treatment (which is strongly recommended), space it at least two hours apart from the doxycycline dose.
Is Dan Shen safe for dogs?
Yes, Dan Shen (also called Chinese red sage) has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for over two thousand years and has a strong safety profile in dogs. The main consideration is its mild natural blood-thinning effect, which should not be combined with prescription blood thinners without veterinary supervision, and which should be discussed with your veterinarian if your dog's platelet counts are already low from the Anaplasma infection. Discontinue at least seven days before any planned surgery. For dogs not on those specific medications, Dan Shen is well-tolerated.
How long does it take to see results?
This formula is designed to work alongside veterinary treatment over a four-to-eight-week recovery window. Most pet parents see initial improvements in energy and appetite within the first one to two weeks of combined antibiotic and herbal support. Bloodwork improvements (kidney values, liver values, blood cell counts) typically show up at the follow-up veterinary recheck four to six weeks after starting treatment. Consistent daily use throughout the recovery period is what produces the most meaningful results.
What do holistic vets recommend for Anaplasma recovery?
Integrative veterinarians treating tick-borne disease typically recommend a layered approach: first, the conventional antibiotic treatment (doxycycline for 28 days); second, targeted herbal support for the organs the disease and antibiotic affect (kidney support, liver protection, and immune modulation, which is what Anaplaz-No addresses); third, gut restoration with quality probiotics during and after antibiotic treatment; fourth, follow-up bloodwork at 30, 90 days, and 6 months after treatment; and fifth, natural prevention support after recovery with formulas like Bor-L-Immune. The goal is full biological recovery, not just bacterial clearance.
Why can't I use this for prevention, and what should I use instead?
The herbs in Anaplaz-No were chosen specifically for their actions on organs and systems already damaged by Anaplasma infection. They are not formulated to reduce the risk of tick-borne disease before it occurs. Sustenance Herbs Bor-L-Immune is the formula specifically designed for tick-borne disease prevention support. Once your dog has fully recovered from active infection and their bloodwork has returned to normal, transitioning to Bor-L-Immune is the natural next step for ongoing protection.
The clean formula standard you expect
The doxycycline kills the bacteria. It does not rebuild the kidneys showing elevated values on your dog's bloodwork. It does not protect the liver that is processing it for 28 days. It does not help the immune system find its balance again. These are the specific gaps Anaplaz-No was built to fill.
Dan Shen protecting kidney tissue and supporting blood flow so immune cells can reach where they are needed · Ashwagandha helping the immune system find balance rather than just pushing it harder · Schisandra protecting the liver working through 28 days of antibiotic processing
This is the integrative recovery layer that fits between the antibiotic and the return to normal. And when recovery is complete, Bor-L-Immune is the next step for prevention going forward.
